About the position
The Partnership Marketing, Manager will be responsible for the activation and management of Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Partners. HSE includes the Charlotte Hornets, Greensboro Swarm, Spectrum Center Events and new business ventures. This role works closely with the Partnership Marketing Directors to manage the activation of all HSE partnerships and assist in the relationship management, strategy, renewal, and upsell processes. The Partnership Marketing, Manager is critical in ensuring a high level of activation and execution of partnership deliverables, assisting in CRM management, and ensuring seamless execution of partner contracts. To be successful you will have a mix of client relationship management, marketing expertise, and the ability to drive results through both small-scale and large-scale partnership initiatives. This role requires a deep understanding of partner businesses, a proactive approach and creative approach to activation, and the ability to collaborate with various teams to drive revenue.
Responsibilities
- Provide support to the Partnership Marketing Directors on complex organizational accounts, by ensuring the contractual obligations are met, assisting with day-to-day relationship management, and gaining buy-in and excitement to execute from internal stakeholders.
- Assist with the development and execution of marketing campaigns and activations for key partners.
- Coordinate and support partnership activations, ensuring that events, sponsorships, and campaigns are executed smoothly.
- Work with the marketing and events teams to help design and implement activations that align with the partner's goals and objectives.
- Utilize CRM system to manage client data, track engagement, and monitor the status of ongoing partnerships for all assigned accounts.
- Maintain up-to-date client information, track contract deadlines, and ensure that all partnership activities are logged and communicated effectively to internal stakeholders.
- Prepare regular reports on the performance of partnerships, tracking metrics such as engagement, ROI, and overall account health.
- Provide insights and recommendations for improving the success of partnerships and achieving revenue targets.
- Act as the main point of contact for assigned partners, building strong, long-term relationships to ensure satisfaction and retention.
- Understand each partner's business and goals and identify ways to align them with HSE assets and initiatives.
- Regularly engage with clients to assess their needs, provide updates, and identify opportunities for growth.
- Present innovative, customized activation solutions that deliver measurable value for partners.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, events, and legal, to ensure seamless execution of partnership initiatives and successful delivery of partner objectives.
- Attend games and events to lead partner activations and strengthen relationships.
- Maintain proactive communication with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and success.
- Demonstrate professionalism and uphold HSE brand standards in all interactions and deliverables.
Requirements
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in partnership marketing, client relationship management, or account management, ideally within a sports, entertainment, or related industry.
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management, or a related field, preferred.
- Proven experience in upselling, renewals, and managing client relationships.
- Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and client management tools.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and retain clients effectively.
- Experience in negotiating and executing partnership contracts.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of managing multiple client relationships simultaneously.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage various partnership tasks and projects.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments to ensure the successful execution of partnership initiatives.
- Knowledge of partnership marketing principles, including sponsorship, brand activations, and co-marketing.
- Results-driven with a focus on achieving revenue targets and increasing partnership value.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
- Passion for sports and entertainment, with an understanding of the partnership marketing landscape.
- Self-starter with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with adaptability in style.
- Innovative and strategic thinker, passionate about the entertainment industry.
- Flexible schedule availability, including evenings, weekends and select holidays.
Benefits
- Full time benefit eligible position.
- Valuable benefits and competitive time off policies.
